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LOT 0674
Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Demeter Holding Ear of Corn
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
3/4 in. (2.21 grams, 19 mm).
Set in a silver mount with beaded edge; the intaglio depicting Demeter draped, advancing left and holding ear of corns in her right hand.
ProvenanceAcquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s.
Important North West London collection.
Cf. Walters, H.B., Catalogue of Engraved Gems & Cameos, Greek, Etruscan & Roman in the British Museum, London, 1926, no.3342, for similar.
FootnotesDemeter and Hecate were linked to the afterlife cult, so it is possible that the ring to which the bezel belonged was a funerary gift. Demeter (Ceres for the Romans) was the Greek goddess of the harvest, the cycle of life and death and sacred law.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0674
Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Demeter Holding Ear of Corn
Estimate £500 - 700€580 - 810 (for guidance only)$680 - 950 (for guidance only)
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Large Roman Bronze Millefiori Mount
Circa 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Discoid in form with chamfered side edge and mounting lug to reverse centre, decorated with concentric circles populated with red and blue enamelled square cells. 12.9 grams, 42 mm
Found near Great Walsingham, Norfolk, UK, circa 2005. -
Roman Gold Ring with Dolphin Gemstone
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,940
With D-section shank, ellipsoid stepped bezel, inset sardonyx intaglio dolphin. 5.60 grams, 23.61 mm overall, 20.69 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)
From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11859-206976.
The dolphin motif is associated with the god Neptune. -
Danubian Lead Votive Plaque with Helen of Troy
3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £442
Comprising a figural scene in relief composed of a mounted rider (Dioscuros) advancing left towards the figure of Helen of Troy, a worshipper behind his horse and another beneath it in the attitude of submission; the sun and the moon above. 91 grams, 83 mm
Acquired early 1990s. From an East Anglian private collection.
The image of Sol Invictus assumed a great importance in the Danubian cult: the frequent representation of the celestial gods on the plaques is paralleled by their representation on monuments of other mystery cults, particularly the cult of Mithras. The image of a Dioscuros on horseback is linked to that of the Danubian rider.
